A definitive guide about what to expect from Light in the Box

I was referred to Light in the Box ****B) by a friend who was satisfied with them. I purchased 19 products, spread over 5 different orders from 2 January 2023 up to the end of January, with varying experiences, so I think I'm in a position to comment. (Today is 19 Feb 2023). Read through these to decide for yourself, whether you want to risk it.

> Some items have arrived. > One item arrived, but was far removed from what I had ordered. It took a Detailed Review, an online Support request and Several e-mails to resolve, but finally received the correct product about 6 weeks after the initial order was placed. This, after they wanted me to return the wrong item at my expense, which I point blankly refused, due to the cost of shipping and it not having been my problem, but absolutely my inconvenience. The balance of this order is now somewhere in the ether or metaverse or similar, as the status indicates that I have received it and unfortunately, communication with LitB is now at a point where they have redefined how to further agitate an already upset client; so I’m guessing that both the money and product are gone. > The statuses of some items are still indicating "QC" or "Shipping", despite the fact that the estimated delivery dates have passed already. > One item had to be cancelled as they can't ship to SA, and this after their Customer Service couldn't clearly grasp the situation at first. > Some items have arrived in SA but have vanished into thin air. > Of the items received, and apart from the clearly wrong product, the rest were all according to what I had ordered. Note: some of the clothing can be dicey, as the pictures can’t perfectly “describe” the actual product. > Of the 19 items, I have received 7.

The way I summarised the scenario: > LitB is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. > They are essentially a "drop shipping intermediary", whereby they purchase an immense variety of products from a multitude of suppliers (mainly) throughout China; and then the actual supplier, ships to you. This means that LitB actually has very little control over the entire order, be it the product quality and type, performance from the real supplier and most definitely not the Couriers. This is also the reason why one would sometimes only be offered regular Post as the only shipping option. (Hint: never, never, ever choose an item which can only be posted, because, in case you haven't noticed, the South African Post Office doesn't function as a Post Office; and IF your parcel actually reaches a postal office, it might not be anywhere Near you, and it might take weeks to locate it - if it all). > Some of their suppliers use reputable Couriers, who will and can deliver. > Some of the Couriers do not notify you beforehand of the pending delivery and then ignore you when you send them an e-mail; therefore, you may or may not receive your parcel. > Because of the exceptionally erratic delivery scenarios, do NOT order anything that you require in a hurry – in my experience, within at least 6 weeks. > Depending on what you order, the order will more than likely be split up into as many deliveries as there are items, as they are individually shipped from their respective suppliers. Unless you have a delivery address where there is always someone present to accept a parcel, it will most definitely aggravate your experience.

In summary: it is an absolute GAMBLE doing business with them.